Joan Benkowski Clawson

Joan Patricia Benkowski Clawson passed away peacefully on Monday, November 27, 2023. She is survived by her four daughters, Cheryl Bellamy, Linda Pupa (Tom), Laurie Mitchell (Bruce) and Paula Thomson (Tom); her nine grandchildren, Joshua, Benjamin, Jordan, Hannah, Matthew, Samantha, Blake, Savannah and Jessica; and her great-grandchildren, Killian, Mabel, Cedar, and Archie. Joan was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Arthur (Archie) Clawson.

Joan was born on June 23, 1938, in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, to Victoria and Stanley Benkowski. After graduating from Ambridge High School, Joan worked for a brief period of time in the office at H. H. Robertson in Ambridge and married her childhood sweetheart, Archie. After living in Virginia for several years, Archie and Joan moved their family back to Pennsylvania and then finally settled in Raleigh, North Carolina. Joan worked for the North Carolina State Legislature until retirement and also served as a greeter at St. Raphael Catholic Church.

Joan loved to cook, bake, and entertain her family and friends in her home. She was the queen of pierogi, cabbage rolls, and lady locks. Joan could whip out a full Thanksgiving dinner for sixteen people without batting an eye and had the unique talent of dressing four little girls in complete Easter outfits, from hats and gloves to shiny patent leather shoes, without losing her patience. She instilled her love for the holidays in her daughters and grandchildren and made every Christmas magical. Joan loved to be surrounded by her family, and she stayed present in the lives of her grandchildren by attending school plays, dance recitals, sports events, chorus concerts, and graduations. Joan loved the color pink, the beach, crossword puzzles, reading, dancing, and a nice bottle of wine. Her special love, though, was for Archie. She loved and appreciated the life she lived with him and their daughters. This compassionate and beautiful woman will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered--her striking blue eyes, her style, and her witty zingers that would come out of nowhere.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to The Legacy of Hartsville and Crescent Hospice for all of the love, compassion, and professionalism their staffs showed in taking care of Joan.

In remembrance of Joan Clawson’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org or Alzheimer’s Association - Eastern North Carolina Chapter, 5171 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27612.

Norton Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Clawson family.